Facing an unplanned pregnancy, Gabby turned to her faith.

After a brief romance that she knew wouldn't last, Gabby Weist learned she was pregnant. She knew she would not have an abortion, but a nurse practitioner suggested one when she saw how distraught and emotional Weist was. Led by faith, Weist stood firm in her commitment to keep her baby, but by the second trimester, she still hadn't told the baby's father she was pregnant.

Key Takeaways:

• Gabby Weist was young and without a stable income when she learned she was pregnant following a brief romance.

• She knew she didn't want an abortion, but a nurse practitioner suggested she take the abortion pill anyway.

• Weist turned her God and her faith to guide her, and ultimately chose life.

• After she entered the second trimester, she finally felt ready to tell her baby's father about the pregnancy.

• Today, Weist speaks at pro-life events and encourages other women to seek true support when they face an unplanned pregnancy.

The Details:

Gabby Weist was a young woman in her early twenties living in Chicago, enjoying hanging out with friends. She was unaware that her life would soon take a turn when a college friend introduced Weist to Daniel, a recent West Point graduate and a commissioned officer. He was in Chicago for a short time and would be leaving soon for further training at infantry school in Georgia. Weist knew their relationship wouldn’t be long-term, but that didn’t matter — she was smitten. Two months after Daniel left for Georgia, Weist discovered she was pregnant.

Weist told Live Action News, “I was in Cleveland visiting my family when my mom suspected I was pregnant after describing my physical symptoms to her. I really wasn’t thinking too much about it, but I did take a pregnancy test which was positive. I called my mom, crying, asking her to come home. She had never met Daniel but did her best to console me.”

Back in Chicago, Weist scheduled a doctor’s visit. While she was anxious about impending motherhood, Weist wasn’t considering abortion as an option.  But the nurse practitioner who examined her had other ideas.

“She suggested I take the abortion pill since I was in my first trimester,” Weist said. “I was weepy and distraught so apparently, she thought ending my pregnancy was the best solution. I grew up in a conservative Catholic household and I knew abortion was wrong. I told her I’d schedule another appointment once I prayed about it.”

Trust in God's plan

A scared and anxious Weist slipped into a quiet church before the next scheduled Mass to pray for guidance. Weist said:

“I could hear my sobs echoing throughout the empty church. At the time, I wasn’t financially stable and feared being unable to make ends meet as a single mother. I begged God for a sign.”

She already had one sign — her baby was due on her own birth date.

As she prepared to leave, she went to light a candle and noticed a statue of St. Jude, the patron of lost causes, nearby. 

“I immediately felt encouraged,” Weist said. “I had lost a good friend, and I could feel his presence around me. I felt that I was going to be okay.”

Catholics need to know the truth: Being an accessory to abortion is evil

She returned to the doctor’s office and announced she was going to continue the pregnancy and would require prenatal care.

Weist said, “This is when I started taking my pregnancy seriously. While most of my friends were unaware, I did contact a woman who also experienced an unplanned pregnancy a year earlier. She had shared her dedication to helping other women in similar circumstances, and I knew she’d be the right person to reach out to.”

But she hadn’t yet told Daniel, although she did have his phone number. During her first trimester, Weist struggled with anxiety, fearful she might miscarry. When she reached her second trimester, she felt more confident in reaching out to Daniel. 

Telling the father

“When I told him the news, he was quiet,” Weist said. “I knew it was a lot to take in. I thought he’d block me and never want to hear from me again, but he called me the next day. He told me he was happy that I chose life and excited about becoming a dad. I was so relieved to hear that.”

Even Daniel’s mother was thrilled — she flew in from Minnesota to attend Weist’s baby shower.

Weist said, “About halfway through my pregnancy, I relocated back to Cleveland and secured a well-paying job and awesome daycare. It was as if, once I fully accepted my pregnancy, everything came together.”

When Weist gave birth to her son, Charlie, Daniel’s family flew in to be with her. Daniel was in ranger school at the time, but he met his son when Weist traveled to Georgia for Daniel’s ranger school graduation celebration.

“It was such an emotional time,” Weist said. “Daniel was a natural with his son, he loved feeding him and changing his diapers. He didn’t want to let him go.”

The proud father loved showing off his baby to fellow army comrades who told Weist they knew she was coming.

While Weist and Daniel are not romantically involved, they get together during the holidays and when time permits. Daniel now lives in Alaska, and with a four-hour time difference, it can be challenging to connect. Both families get along well, and Daniel’s parents purchased a condo in Cleveland to be more accessible to Charlie when visiting the area. As she navigates single parenthood, Weist has learned to surround herself with people who will help grow her faith.

An encouragement to other women

“I am very fortunate to have such supportive friends and family,” Weist said. “As a single mother of a toddler, my faith has been the cornerstone of my life with my son. I attend Mass with Charlie every week and trust God to carry me through the tough times.”

While juggling the demands of parenthood and work responsibilities can be hectic, Weist hopes to become more active in the pro-life movement. Her story was recently profiled in the Akron Beacon Journal.  She spoke at a LifeWorks Ohio fundraiser and enrolled in a media training class with Her Plan, an organization that “assists providers in fulfilling their mission to serve women and families.”

Weist encourages women facing unplanned pregnancies to tap into critical resources like pregnancy support centers and other organizations that provide safety nets for women in crisis. 

“There are people who care about you and your baby,” Weist said. “Trust that your village will grow, but you must be willing to get the support you need. Be responsible and take charge of your life. There will always be difficulties, but with faith and perseverance, you can overcome them.”